Find information and practical advice to improve sex if you have chronic pain.

Sexual intercourse can cause discomfort for people living with long-term pain.

But living with chronic pain should not mean that the pleasures of sexual activity are beyond your reach.

Sexual activity, when comfortable, can provide a certain amount of temporary pain relief. The key is to return to some form of sex as soon as possible.

The longer you avoid it, the bigger the fear of resuming sex becomes, and a downward spiral can set in.

Also, a loss of intimacy can drive couples apart and harm their relationship in the long-term.

Plan ahead for sex

If you live with chronic pain, spontaneous sex is never going to be easy.

Planning and preparing for sex may not sound as romantic, but is a better way of achieving a satisfying sex life.

People often experience more pain at certain times of day. So it may help to have sex when your body is at its best, when your muscles are the least painful and your joints not so stiff and when you're least tired.

Many people are most intimate just before going to sleep at night, but for people with chronic pain this can be the worst time.

Instead, plan to spend time with your partner in the afternoon, or whichever time of day you feel the least pain.

Tips for more comfortable sex

If you take medication to control your pain, try to time sex for when your medicine's therapeutic effect is at its peak.